[DavidKok]

This is a multi-step bidding problem from last night. You're playing rubber bridge and have cut the best player in the room, an expert partner. The opponents are at +40, we're at 0.

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The opponents play a style where 1♦ is 5+ or specific 4441's, so 1♣ may still have up to four diamonds in a balanced hand (and if balanced, it will be 12-14 or 18-19). Your call?

[jillybean]

I can't show the black suits after the 1♣ opening.
1♠

and what Marlowe said below. Looking forward to the next bid

[mw64ahw]

Double. Power or standard.

Thinking about this further 2♣ nominally as 4♠5♦ unlimited playing the Overcall Structure.

Now
2♦ preference
.. 2♥ weak 6♥
.. 2♠ 5♠6♣
.. or higher to force

2♥ ♠ preference
.. Pass 6♥ weak
.. a range of options to define strength/shape

[Cyberyeti]

This is awkward, we have the arrangement that pass and then bidding clubs (either bidding the suit or by inference) over a 2 card club is natural (other than UCB), so I could pass and then make a 2 suited bid showing spades to show spades and clubs, but I'm worried 1♣ might be passed out.

1♣-P-1♦-P
1♥-2♦ for example would be fine as would

1♣-P-1♥-P
2♥-3♥

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

1S.

You need to find a fit.

If 2C is natural, you could try this, but it is unlikely, that you have discussed this,
and it may end the auction. Obv. the problem with 1S is, that you may have to find a further
bid, and the question is, if later club bids may show clubs, but lets survive this round.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[jillybean]

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[mike777]

double

[helene_t]

We once had a discussion about this where several people said that first pass and then jump in apades shows a black twosuiter. Although there was no concencus about whether it shows five spades or 4.

I am a bit afraid that if p preempts in a red suit, any action by us will be interpreted as support. So maybe safest just to bid spades.

It is also, of course, a bit risky to pass with such a strong hand.

[DavidKok]

I considered the hand too strong for a 1♠ overcall or a pass intending to come in next round. I therefore chose double.

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The continuation was not what I expected. Did you anticipate this? And what do you bid now?

[jillybean]

DavidKok, on 2025-April-01, 13:18, said:

The continuation was not what I expected. Did you anticipate this? And what do you bid now?

I did anticipate this. When I have a 65 hand and double, I'm in trouble when partner bids my shortage.
I consider this 55 and bid my spades.

[mike777]

DavidKok, on 2025-April-01, 13:18, said:

I considered the hand too strong for a 1♠ overcall or a pass intending to come in next round. I therefore chose double.

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The continuation was not what I expected. Did you anticipate this? And what do you bid now?

I knew this hand was just going to be a pain to bid.
Without getting into a long debate about what 1D promises, I am going to assume pard promises zero hcp at this point. 2D would have been roughly 8-11. Since I play ELC here I can't rebid one spade.
I will start with a cuebid of 2C, forcing, showing some random big hand at this point.

Partner please do your best to make some natural rebid, given you have about 0-7hcp and are forced to bid something, smile.

[mw64ahw]

As a standard X I now bid 1♠ showing 5+ and a strong hand.

As a Power X I play 1♦ as a negative or a weak 5+♦. Again I bid 1♠, but now this shows 4+ looking for a fit. Partner can now correct to 1N/2♦ or Pass.

[P_Marlowe]

DavidKok, on 2025-April-01, 13:18, said:

I considered the hand too strong for a 1♠ overcall or a pass intending to come in next round. I therefore chose double.

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The continuation was not what I expected. Did you anticipate this? And what do you bid now?

1S.

2C is now no longer a valid option, this is asking for a club stopper, or whatever.